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Sunday, 18 March 2018

I was very touched to get a thank you message from Kenny and Rhian the other day, illustrated by these very atmospheric photos by the talented Claire Juliet Paton.

They chose to get married on the first day of the Six Nations, when Wales and Scotland met in Cardiff, so that required very careful planning.

They very sensibly decided to have the ceremony at 1.00 pm which meant that the guests could all watch the match at 2.30.

OK, the Welsh guests were probably a little happier than the Scots by 4.00 pm, but as you will see, it didn't detract from Rhian and Kenny's truly moving and creative ceremony.

Just over a month on from the day and we’re both still filled with real joy and pride over what our day and our ceremony ended up being.

I remember thanking Tim immediately after the ceremony and saying how fantastic it had been and he replied, ‘Of course it was – you wrote it!'

That sums up the whole experience.

From our first visit to Tim we were encouraged to do what we wanted to and it helped make for a beautiful, emotional, personal experience that we wouldn’t swap for anything.

Tim offered guidance where required but overall just gave us the reassurance we needed that the ceremony we prepared would work. And it did!

We were complimented so many times on how enjoyable everyone found it. There were tears, laughter and singing from everyone in the room.

One of our favourite moments, however, happened even before the ceremony. We had chosen not to spend the night or morning separately and to enter the ceremony room at the same time. This meant we were able to grab some time immediately before the ceremony, together with Tim.

He immediately sensed how nervous we each were and set about settling us down with his trademark humour. Tim then let us have a dry run of putting the rings on so we didn’t mess up with the wrong hands. Of course, this all ended in tears (of joy) and make-up had to be hastily fixed. It was a beautiful moment and it helped prepare us for doing it again in a room full of people.

Tim remained a hugely calming, guiding influence through the ceremony, casually and calmly directing us where to stand and what to do without it even really being noticeable. It helped give us complete faith that everything would go smoothly.

His advice to take in the moment, enjoy it and to also look at everyone else enjoying it too stuck in our minds throughout and it was great to see our friends and families laughing and crying along with us.

Looking back, we can’t imagine having done things differently and can only offer our complete thanks to Tim for guiding us through the whole process.

Once again we'd like to offer you our thanks for helping to make such a special day.

Friday, 16 March 2018

Our story starts in 2002 in Gran Canaria where Allan was working as an overseas holiday rep. Gary had had just recently secured a job - also as a rep.

Gary arrived at Las Palmas airport looking like something out of The Matrix wearing a long black leather jacket, even though it was 30 degrees plus. They very quickly became good friends, always the last two standing on a night out and always getting into trouble too...

Ten years passed, during which they largely lost contact but thanks to their mutual friend Kelli they met again in Edinburgh. Allan invited Gary to his Christmas Party, and again it wasn't long before they were the last two left reminiscing over a bottle of champagne. Four years later, on Allan's birthday, Gary proposed and that was what led us to a very emotional day at the glamorous Carlowrie Castle.

You may already have heard of a bride's mate: well, Gary and Allan coined a new term for Jane, Sarah, Lyn and Christine: Groomsmaid, and it was lovely to see them making their entrance with the best men, Scott and Rudy to the sound of the Cristina Perry favourite, 1,000 years, sung by Lara Fullerton who was accompanied on the piano by the legend that is Alex Graham.

I also loved the way they chose to involve their mums as their witnesses when they signed the Marriage Schedule.

Firstly Gary and I would like to thank you for doing our ceremony, all our guests have commented about how unique it was, funny, emotional and very well delivered. We were all very happy with the day - it really was the best day ever.

The whole day was faultless, but it just went in so quickly. We were both very humbled by the love, kindness and emotions shown though out the day, and both now appreciate more how lucky we are to have such a great group of amazing and supportive friends and family.

The ceremony was very personal to us, and we loved the way in which our story was shared with our loved ones.

Once again Tim many thanks for being a part of what truly was the most amazing day ever.

Gentlemen, it really was! I am sure there are lots of other photos which show just how emotional and moving a day it was, and if you're feeling brave, I hope you'll get Alan to send me some, but even without them, I think everyone reading this will get just how much it meant to you, your families and your friends, so thank you again for asking me to be your celebrant: it was a joy!

Monday, 5 March 2018

Weddings are often seen as a 'girl' thing, so this story told from the groom's point of view is very special for lots of reasons. The words are from Ross: the atmospheric photos are by the gifted Suzanne Li.

The walk down the aisle is
normally reserved for the bride and her wedding party. For me the importance of
walking my mum down the aisle arm in arm was hugely significant.

Our wedding was the first
major family event since my dad passed away back in April 2015, so it was a day
full of mixed emotions both for myself and more so, for my mum.

However, I know my dad was celebrating with us throughout the day. Tim, our celebrant, and toasts to my dad during the evening speeches, paid tribute to a great man.

After showing my mum to her
seat, I joined my best men up front and the anticipation grew as we waited on my
wife to be making her grand entrance. Having a couple of my trusted buddies
beside me eased the nerves.

First to appear was my little
cousin Craig, looking dapper for his first time wearing a kilt. He had been in
training on the lead up to the wedding, practicing his walk down the aisle on
his own carrying both rings on a small cushion. As soon as he entered and saw
me at the other end of the aisle, all training went out the window and he ran
at full speed, delivering the rings in spectacular fashion. Job done little cousin!!

Next down the aisle was
Claire’s cousin and our only bridesmaid, Jenny, and she looked amazing! I could
tell from her face she was full of emotion. I was glad she was by Claire’s side
on the day, the two of them were as thick as thieves growing up.

Prior to the big day one of
the best pieces of advice I received was to take moments throughout the day and
make mental snapshots.

As the music started playing and the doors opened, Claire
appeared with her dad at her side, this was one of my mental snapshot moments.
Not only did she look amazing in her dress, but it was also the happiest I’d
ever seen her.

I was the proudest guy in the
room.

As she joined me up front we
both had smiles from ear to ear. All that planning, the emails, phone calls,
Skype sessions, venue visits, flights home for fittings, menu tastings,
meetings with our wedding planner, photographer, videographer, celebrant and band
had all culminated in this moment.

Tim commenced the ceremony with
a short quip about humanist weddings and immediately put the room at ease. That
set the tone, and from then on the remainder of the day flowed
seamlessly.

The great work from everyone
involved including our photographer and videographer, combined with our own
mental snapshots of the day, ensured we now look back on our wedding fondly
with many great memories.

Thank you so much, Ross. Your words mean the world to me, and I'm just so glad you and Claire decided to ask me to conduct your wedding!

The entrance of the groom can be every bit as important as the entrance of the bride. It's a chance for the groom to honour his relationship with his parents, and as Ross has shown, it's one of those moments when actions speak louder than words.

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About Me

Since October 2005, I've been conducting funerals, naming ceremonies and weddings as a Humanist Celebrant, and it's the most enjoyable and rewarding work I've ever done. If you'd like to get in touch, please click here to send me an email, or call 0777 0555 224